In light of the fatality, snowmobilers are urged by conservation officers to ride on the right side of the trail, ride sober and at a safe speed appropriate for weather conditions and rider abilities.
File photoA 38-year-old man from Rockford died Wednesday after he lost control of the snowmobile he was operating and crashed in northern Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced the death of Jacob Chandonnet Thursday, adding that it marks the ninth snowmobiling fatality in the state this winter.
Chandonnet was riding snowmobiles with his 58-year-old stepfather, Richard Tank, on Snowmobile Trail LP 9, north of Atlanta around noon when Chandonnet lost control, according to a Thursday press release. He was ejected from the snowmobile and hit a tree.
Tank, also from Rockwood, was operating a snowmobile behind Chandonnet and did not see the crash. When he reached the crash scene, he immediately called 911 and started life-saving efforts, the Michigan DNR stated in the release.
Conservation officers for the Michigan DNR responded to the crash and aided in trying to save Chandonnet’s life.
An ambulance could not reach the crash site due to snow, so Chandonnet was transported off the trail using a Michigan DNR patrol truck.
Montmorency County Sheriff's Office deputies and a local first responder helped conservation officers transport him while performing CPR and using an automatic external defibrillator.
After being removed from the trail, Chandonnet was transferred to the care of EMS personnel. He was pronounced dead by medical examiners while en route to the hospital, according to the Michigan DNR.
Speed is the primary cause of fatal and or serious snowmobile injury accidents in the state, according to the Michigan DNR. Last winter, there were 13 snowmobiling fatalities in Michigan and 12 during the winter of 2020 to 2021.
Snowmobilers are urged by conservation officers to Ride Right by riding on the right side of the trail, riding sober and at a safe speed appropriate for weather conditions and rider abilities.
For more information on snowmobiling in Michigan, visit michigan.gov/snowmobiling.
Tri-Township EMS and Fire personnel assisted the Michigan DNR in the snowmobiling fatality.
